Almost a year removed from his 2012 presidential run, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) is turning his attention to future elections. Perry said on Monday that he is planning to “make an announcement” about “future political plans” in July 2013, according to a tweet from the Rio Grande Guardian. Those plans may very well include a run for a fourth term as Texas governor. In late October, Perry’s chief legislative aide, Ken Armbrister, leaked that path, the Texas Tribune reported. Back in August, Perry told NBC News that he would “absolutely” consider another run for the White House. If a 2016 campaign is in his cards, he’ll have at least one notable face in his corner. Anti-tax champion Grover Norquist expressed support for Perry as president on Wednesday. Perry’s 2012 chances came to a halt in January after a disappointing finish in the South Carolina primary.

Perry has stated that he would reveal his future plans in July 2013, but his timing is terrible. Right now, the whole political world is fixated on the fiscal cliff. Nobody is going to pay much attention to Perry when the real story is taking place in Congress. It still seems very far-fetched. Why would Grover Norquist, who is in the political fight of his life, suddenly drop everything to endorse Rick Perry for president four years from now? It makes no sense. Similarly, why would Perry seek out Norquist (or vice-versa) at a time when Perry ought to be thinking about the next legislative session instead of the White House? It can’t help Norquist, and it can’t help Perry.

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